We found out our trail had a name. Monte Cielo, or “Climb to Heaven”. We called it “Stairway to Heaven”. It was something like three miles long but none of the usual suspects had their gadgets with the distance and elevation profiles, and google map overlays.
The last little bit we hadn’t finished gave us an appreciation for the difference our switchbacks and sidewalls made.
did someone say grape juice?
Then we were on the Sendero Pacifico. It was a perfect way to wrap up. At times along the ridgeline I was grateful for the shrubs on both sides as a safety fence–the wind was extreme and the gusts intense.
Then we cut back down a cow path and eventually onto a road and soon we were back to familiar territory.
We planned to stop at the “Ice Cream Parlor”. This was at Carolyn/intern’s host family’s house.
We plopped into the hammocks and rocking chairs on the porch, or flopped onto the grass and were accosted by friendly little dogs.
The ice cream was delicious but for me it was more special for the atmosphere.
That evening we attended a dinner at the community center, a celebration of the work we’d done together, and goodbyes. Nat presented us all with certificates of appreciation, printed on one of his color sketches of the valley and with the Sendero Pacifico logo.
It also starred none other than “Curious George” which brings me to the end of this particular adventure, if just for now.
